tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50364823412429101222024-03-12T18:44:50.894-07:00All My Baby BirdsMama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-79471308850796789322018-07-08T04:45:00.000-07:002018-07-08T04:45:45.276-07:003 moments of JoyIn October of 2012, I started a facebook page with my friend Sara (an amazing mom currently living in Chile with her 3 children) documenting 3 joyful moments in each day. Making the effort even on the really hard days to document 3 things that brought joy to each day.<br />
<br />
I have not done this in awhile, so while I was making rice this morning at 6:30am for a delicious rice pudding breakfast for the kids. I was reminded of something I just read in Laura Vandercamp's newest book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Off-Clock-Feel-While-Getting/dp/0735219818">"Off the Clock: Feel less Busy While Getting More Done"</a> she states that by documenting moments that bring you joy, those moments can bring you even more joy when you write them down and get to reread them again at some point. <br />
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1. Seeing the sun come up and filter through the forest of trees that sits in front of our house.<br />
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2.Hot coffee with this delicious dairy free creamer-called <a href="https://www.nutpods.com/">Nutpods </a> I use the Vanilla.<br />
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3. My husbands snoring. Yes,that's right I said his snoring!! His loud shake the room snoring woke me up at 5:13 am which prompted me to just start my day then instead of trying to go back to sleep and get up at am, which is when my alarm will go off anyhow.<br />
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4. Bonus moment: When looking through pictures to add to this blog entry I came across this picture of my Dad from last year. We were selling Girl Scout cookies at his retirement home and whatever he was saying was making my daughter laugh. He was a funny man, this photo made me smile and brought me back to that fun day. He died suddenly this year from a heart attack.<br />
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I have gotten so much done in the last 2.5 hours that I have been awake while my 5 kids and husband are asleep. I need to do this more often, but most times my bed just seems the most comfortable in the early hours of the morning.<br />
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<i>*Check out Laura's books they are great and have really been a game changer for me.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-74653524472117488242018-06-28T17:23:00.000-07:002018-06-28T17:24:43.609-07:00Steaks in Suburbia, The American Dream,My favorite summertime activity is riding my bike, I feel alive and free! Although I live on 15 acres (14.6 to be exact) I sometimes enjoy popping over to many of nearby subdivisions to ride my bike. They all have their own fancy names to set themselves apart from others and as I ride through them I like to imagine who lives there, what they do and what their life is like. I make up stories in my head about them, sometimes these stories are spawned by seeing people outside of these houses and other times I make up stories about those who dwell inside. Only to be sometimes be disappointed when I ride by one day and I see people unlike what my imagination made up.<br />
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So at 6pm this evening while riding through Deerfield Subdivision I smelled delicious steak being cooked to perfection on the grill by a hard working man who sat in an office all day making money for his family and my mind began to wander.<br />
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I think most of these houses would be what people would call the American dream home.These houses run about $300,000 and are all about 3-4 Bedrooms 2 Baths and near 2000 sq feet. I know this because I read the for sale flyers sometimes when I stop for a drink from my water bottle.<br />
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These are the stories that played through my mind tonight.<br />
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This house has beautiful forested back yard. 2 Full time working parents live here with their 3 daughters (I have seen them outside, now I sound like a stalker) This is one of my favorite houses to drive past because a little later in the evening and the sun filters through the trees behind the house and it is such beautiful sight.<br />
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Divorced mother of 2 lives here with her new boyfriend, they have a little white dog named Gigi<br />
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This married couple is struggling, the husband has a real good feeling that his wife is cheating on him with the new guy she just hired at her office. He is struggling to come to terms with this and is trying his hardest to convince his wife that the life they built together is worth it, he is grilling steak tonight!<br />
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This couple has been married for 14 years and could not be more happy, they know life is not all sunshine and rainbows but they are true soul mates and cannot imagine being anywhere else but together.<br />
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<br />
There is a guy in a red shirt angry that his wife is making him do yard work tonight when his friends are meeting for poker night.<br />
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This woman was in her 50's and jogging, no story here just happy to see others getting fit!<br />
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You cannot tell from this picture but this woman is 6 months pregnant, no story here but happy to see more people getting out and getting fit, yay!<br />
<br />Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-5724162693347920882018-06-24T05:00:00.002-07:002018-06-24T05:00:46.363-07:00So I write....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdQEHmgY7a9bVj8i-a0vAzb6EPOyKEr2rXGSE0bgZQFEVp-CJ2xJ-DbUoovQwu9Gjt3rF6jW4q1MHtlGF4jdv3nX1KQflDIn5-AkcyWIGrhxrnKiDFZYNYTCDlI5bRh4nMrQ1xTbup-8/s1600/IMG_9437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdQEHmgY7a9bVj8i-a0vAzb6EPOyKEr2rXGSE0bgZQFEVp-CJ2xJ-DbUoovQwu9Gjt3rF6jW4q1MHtlGF4jdv3nX1KQflDIn5-AkcyWIGrhxrnKiDFZYNYTCDlI5bRh4nMrQ1xTbup-8/s320/IMG_9437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Wake up
between 5:30-6:00 am. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Make coffee
or tea depending on my mood.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Start a load
of laundry.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Light a
candle at my desk and say a silent prayer.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Surf social
media for 15 minutes while I wait for the hot liquid of my choice to be drinkable.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Start
writing.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In November of
2017 I knew that I was going to write and publish a book. I had a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>new book idea and I was going to make this
happen. I spent the next 2 months gathering ideas for chapters and stopping at
various points during the day to have Siri make notes for me when I came up
with content to use in my book. I finally had enough ideas that could turn into
a 70,000- 90,000 word novel. So I called my Dad excited to tell him that I was
writing a book. This time I really am going to see it through not just 2
chapters but a book and ENTIRE BOOK and I was going to be proud to share this
with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He died
suddenly of a heart attack just weeks after I said this. I was devastated,
ripped apart…. I stopped writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I was
cleaning out his apartment and going through all the things he left behind I
decided that this was not going to stop me, I was sad but that should not stop
me from writing. So, I started writing again knowing that although he is not with
me in this physical world he is still with me in spirit and when this book is
physical and in stores he will see it, he will be proud!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I started
writing a book when I was 26, my college biology professor and mentor was fascinated by my
story. He looked over my first few chapters and said the book would be amazing.
We kept in touch loosely through the
years and he always asked if I was published yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out writing a few chapters is easy but
writing a book is HARD. I knew someday I would finish it, I have plenty of time
I thought. He passed away this year just a few months after my Dad. He will
never have the chance to read my book I have waited too long to make this
happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>The time is
now<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>So I write<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Every day at
least 300 words or 2 hours of work researching. Some days are easy and some
very hard and every day I hear two voices in my head:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Voice 1: “You
got this, keep going, I know it is hard but if it was easy everyone would write
a book. Even if I write and fail, I will learn and try again but no one can succeed
if they do not even try.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Voice 2: “You
suck, you will never write a book that anyone will want to read. You should
just quit now and save yourself the embarrassment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I must
constantly keep voice 2 in check and I visually throat punch voice 2
all day long even when I am not writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ihBP77KtwNTg8YmQ4PKK_WuZS5AXLr1qHXRPvwWBGzR0T8y0ENa3yrW-KNZvmotdL8Q2Ua7A4eyxoG9lhbwDt2e2KmE8rP2wujE742sMVR5sk2T1v4hIYLOOvFw5gTtJBxsjLQTEU9Y/s1600/x86JhH2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="720" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ihBP77KtwNTg8YmQ4PKK_WuZS5AXLr1qHXRPvwWBGzR0T8y0ENa3yrW-KNZvmotdL8Q2Ua7A4eyxoG9lhbwDt2e2KmE8rP2wujE742sMVR5sk2T1v4hIYLOOvFw5gTtJBxsjLQTEU9Y/s320/x86JhH2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>So I write…<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-41404507910515789902018-01-02T20:11:00.000-08:002018-01-02T20:18:46.231-08:00Back to the Classics 2018 reading challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUQDGA7JzHSv6F7G-nBqR2gP_P0SxxfnUbvJMbJbKaYAreNcyjjJi3_Tdr7FsiMskPvEH8Cq9SMyy4k_s1CMGD4XL9Q3EzIZXOxqcuqHXXDSDcDvajoMTTQ_meb8Rdyy0sZkPO9gGyUs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-11-10+at+8.24.30+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="675" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUQDGA7JzHSv6F7G-nBqR2gP_P0SxxfnUbvJMbJbKaYAreNcyjjJi3_Tdr7FsiMskPvEH8Cq9SMyy4k_s1CMGD4XL9Q3EzIZXOxqcuqHXXDSDcDvajoMTTQ_meb8Rdyy0sZkPO9gGyUs/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-11-10+at+8.24.30+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">I came across a photo of a bookstack by an Instagram follower and was intrigued by her choices. It lead me to Karen's blog <a href="https://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/2017/12/back-to-classics-2018.html">Books and Chocolate </a>...... (Books and chocolate who doesn't love that name?)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">I quickly grabbed my 11 year old daughter who is a voracious reader and asked her to join with me as a Mother daughter thing. She was not thrilled about it being classics but when I enticed her with a date night out just the two of us discussing each book over coffee and baked goods, she was sold! Food is a huge motivator!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">So I sent her to my room for my secret stash of chocolates and we sat down together red wine in hand (only my hand) past her bedtime on a school night and came up with this list.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">In less than 4 hours :</span></span></span></div>
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<ol>
<li>I found this challenge </li>
<li>Bribed my daughter with date nights, coffee and baked goods to do it with me</li>
<li>Researched books and came up with our list</li>
<li>Signed up for the challenge </li>
<li>And typed and posted my list on my blog.</li>
</ol>
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Whew!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">1. 19th Century Classic - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen This has been on my bookshelf for awhile but I have never read it. Robin recalled my friend stating that her son was named after a character in the book. - Robin's Choice</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3To5x_2y0B-8IT6GzxT5XdS85u0o_rnJ71IyQFrQeM50BDmeQmAELtYutDqzjSb1YDUt_Eff25u_ZfsWiGZvnJdeR8Tm_jaSMSWtF4wy9FY5_HNa7fXk-opB1OnkLnwfjiAK3oYV77UM/s1600/71eUYV6iruL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3To5x_2y0B-8IT6GzxT5XdS85u0o_rnJ71IyQFrQeM50BDmeQmAELtYutDqzjSb1YDUt_Eff25u_ZfsWiGZvnJdeR8Tm_jaSMSWtF4wy9FY5_HNa7fXk-opB1OnkLnwfjiAK3oYV77UM/s320/71eUYV6iruL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">2. 20th Century - The Jungle by Upton Sinclair My choice it seemed interesting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd32F79VJSH_d_FtW4uR8CpWZX-DJOM6QIooXqjeQcyilD62PVPwJwSdzwwApJguTlTbKE474CNyr2EAO01V30C0iuVM5NiUx07HLJgsB5jK-g5eo5P9rbpnOL4OWenp7ZDuvOjJG8X0/s1600/51FMEWACRJL._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd32F79VJSH_d_FtW4uR8CpWZX-DJOM6QIooXqjeQcyilD62PVPwJwSdzwwApJguTlTbKE474CNyr2EAO01V30C0iuVM5NiUx07HLJgsB5jK-g5eo5P9rbpnOL4OWenp7ZDuvOjJG8X0/s320/51FMEWACRJL._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">3. Woman Author - Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Robin's choice, one that has sat on her bookshelf since she started riding.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCDcitgfhtsfTUmR9yECsKVzm0q7PIeE_JMwDFjsUhChj3M_X5T8xKy_qwA6_4X5PU4Y1M-JXpQ0WAWAbmatXTJ5Q6AIfEO_p0IaaHMeowSa-xmA26j7pvC8CQkFXLi9MmT7XXHtdNQM/s1600/2940013018051_p0_v1_s550x406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="305" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCDcitgfhtsfTUmR9yECsKVzm0q7PIeE_JMwDFjsUhChj3M_X5T8xKy_qwA6_4X5PU4Y1M-JXpQ0WAWAbmatXTJ5Q6AIfEO_p0IaaHMeowSa-xmA26j7pvC8CQkFXLi9MmT7XXHtdNQM/s320/2940013018051_p0_v1_s550x406.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">4. A Translation - The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint- Exupery Just last night Papabird and Canary were watching this on Netflix. This was Robins choice curious to read after her Dad wanted to watch it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sl-JIXZB-FeSDUJaAS30uyXHZJ2s832mnvTrzzdBod9edbg00MC5ExDwc1pZh4-1w0HhDTq-VK9qVZZ0ojpCDNnQ7hmnVWtGFOkb8WJyhfj5XxgdZnN2WG4J-QG7tj4tto3eahZfmC4/s1600/416G7rmennL._SX311_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sl-JIXZB-FeSDUJaAS30uyXHZJ2s832mnvTrzzdBod9edbg00MC5ExDwc1pZh4-1w0HhDTq-VK9qVZZ0ojpCDNnQ7hmnVWtGFOkb8WJyhfj5XxgdZnN2WG4J-QG7tj4tto3eahZfmC4/s320/416G7rmennL._SX311_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">5. Children's Classic - 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne I chose this, Robin and I both like the ocean and sea life so what the heck!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf7Rl4TY60uhcOGP_oKmuBGsnlIuVkv1nZB7yG76X72gdOqUXNjZYVJfUB2gKH52e2HMOZk0bj5O96tmlO-ohw6ccg15ckt88wm_4w9bRWPjyzIViSX09HKOZUkdkWN22J49h6ajpRZ8/s1600/33507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf7Rl4TY60uhcOGP_oKmuBGsnlIuVkv1nZB7yG76X72gdOqUXNjZYVJfUB2gKH52e2HMOZk0bj5O96tmlO-ohw6ccg15ckt88wm_4w9bRWPjyzIViSX09HKOZUkdkWN22J49h6ajpRZ8/s320/33507.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">6. Classic Crime Story - The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham (Robin does not want to read any crime with me) My choice</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-JaL2XjesZ8jR39SHuPGfr167Sa_FkoAaeB1Oo5MReXUdF_DT8p5l3wDzLA7XKhaeBaA-hqsiETo43jFZagtkXABAToR0O1MkXZFWGqsC9AV8CoLvhrwcE9nBIAWAosQDNkortk_peY/s1600/TheCrimeAtBlackDudley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-JaL2XjesZ8jR39SHuPGfr167Sa_FkoAaeB1Oo5MReXUdF_DT8p5l3wDzLA7XKhaeBaA-hqsiETo43jFZagtkXABAToR0O1MkXZFWGqsC9AV8CoLvhrwcE9nBIAWAosQDNkortk_peY/s1600/TheCrimeAtBlackDudley.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">7. Travel or Journey - Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdhal This was a book I am requiring Robin to read for school this year so it just fits nicely.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFkdKFf2O-XVRUv9yi2I5pn_h7farx0ZEmmef_hXjInRY7HlYvib3IMZ3O-d7gnq-WL7yypVNSHnxbY4CBMP2JLNzRbucGpscfqCVFVFjscAcwbcF43w0acvTsvcqU1VHDEcM0v6Bymc/s1600/md18413102621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFkdKFf2O-XVRUv9yi2I5pn_h7farx0ZEmmef_hXjInRY7HlYvib3IMZ3O-d7gnq-WL7yypVNSHnxbY4CBMP2JLNzRbucGpscfqCVFVFjscAcwbcF43w0acvTsvcqU1VHDEcM0v6Bymc/s320/md18413102621.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">8. Single Word - Heidi by Johanna Spyri Robin's choice, I have never read only seen the movie.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-39UOnf8ubUvqcde_Ld-ZArIePHsiZY940MUXUMeU98EFpUMDQKHV3okiOhGAo21wrEBoXRqYJeI55jnBOvUYyAF_40fGr7q4vOmiPwKj9TFSg7Lv0V4SxJRdNnoyWe2kHcDde1aKoE/s1600/864d4df4350aa0ccf7354d174107614d--the-book-great-books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="517" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-39UOnf8ubUvqcde_Ld-ZArIePHsiZY940MUXUMeU98EFpUMDQKHV3okiOhGAo21wrEBoXRqYJeI55jnBOvUYyAF_40fGr7q4vOmiPwKj9TFSg7Lv0V4SxJRdNnoyWe2kHcDde1aKoE/s320/864d4df4350aa0ccf7354d174107614d--the-book-great-books.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">9. Color in the Title - The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Hoping this is okay for my 11 year old to read. I suggested this one she approved it after reading about it on Goodreads.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZaQD9K6-rlUh8_T0EKJYo-hZi9lOb3eeIMhyphenhyphenQm4eO1ftKFfEah5EsZRBP4M6AtZSy7IjuMqD57gRH0VEb6ZGdonMPMnVsj3sE3MlPz_6BJhArbqD2VTAb-ExxPFXY2Su1NBN2OLf3fg/s1600/download+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZaQD9K6-rlUh8_T0EKJYo-hZi9lOb3eeIMhyphenhyphenQm4eO1ftKFfEah5EsZRBP4M6AtZSy7IjuMqD57gRH0VEb6ZGdonMPMnVsj3sE3MlPz_6BJhArbqD2VTAb-ExxPFXY2Su1NBN2OLf3fg/s1600/download+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">10. New Author - My Antonia by </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">Willa Cather We both agreed on this and found it on a 20 classics to read list in a google search.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDO2KlLGxnJkIU3CEkpEiy6GFgF8mhunLnLgfT31W6c3gTAlSl-HUH9ljNV5mAOhUUHFCE-MvjSWj_XoTCHXMP-5cXgTAOFJjD3Y8bCG5xrVulhznTo321e_7UspqbmyFzTC6bIEmQcI/s1600/9781844083749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="254" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDO2KlLGxnJkIU3CEkpEiy6GFgF8mhunLnLgfT31W6c3gTAlSl-HUH9ljNV5mAOhUUHFCE-MvjSWj_XoTCHXMP-5cXgTAOFJjD3Y8bCG5xrVulhznTo321e_7UspqbmyFzTC6bIEmQcI/s320/9781844083749.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">11. Classic that Scares Me - Dracula ( I may change this) I chose, not sure if we will keep this selection.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebFCOhQk1Z6dA7w4iXnVfAFTmIgPzEgECn9SftnYeERPngpl9_yNOCns7XBmVvlntyF8QSrI2aYW4lWZ58UQpDaEzUdwSmjyvkKtSfB5_iqhCSs7xNEqhlcUSpgCsSpV6HZ4aHbduxx4/s1600/5126hLd7jsL._SX326_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebFCOhQk1Z6dA7w4iXnVfAFTmIgPzEgECn9SftnYeERPngpl9_yNOCns7XBmVvlntyF8QSrI2aYW4lWZ58UQpDaEzUdwSmjyvkKtSfB5_iqhCSs7xNEqhlcUSpgCsSpV6HZ4aHbduxx4/s320/5126hLd7jsL._SX326_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">12. Old Favorite - </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">A Little Princess Frances Hodgson Burrnett (the memories of my oldest reading this melts my heart. I will write about it during a review post later in the year) Robin chose this and it is the only book we have both read. Although I have only ever read the abridged version when my oldest was very young. and before I knew that abridged versions suck in comparison!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhPRUWy-89FONo-hAcLGFv55XwLbRr2wwceVdhDjD3a8P0cPF5sLjQEx6nmyFCnsXqOHFiGb4UQvRulzQPfNPHpvf0MOrc0a-t1B_eAdWqzO7exQSHOX9-1HaqDq3VGMrvKLUY-PKJHU/s1600/cvr9781442402928_9781442402928_hr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1071" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhPRUWy-89FONo-hAcLGFv55XwLbRr2wwceVdhDjD3a8P0cPF5sLjQEx6nmyFCnsXqOHFiGb4UQvRulzQPfNPHpvf0MOrc0a-t1B_eAdWqzO7exQSHOX9-1HaqDq3VGMrvKLUY-PKJHU/s320/cvr9781442402928_9781442402928_hr.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;"><br /></span></span></span>I am very excited for this challenge, to read the books and to have this special time with my daughter.Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-46562292573321814162017-12-29T21:54:00.000-08:002018-02-15T19:11:45.427-08:00Welcome 2018 you will be awesome<h3>
Another trip around the sun</h3>
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I have 60 years left on this planet. I am going to live until I am a healthy 100 years old.<br />
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In 2018:<br />
I will turn 40<br />
My oldest will turn 18<br />
Papabird and I will be celebrating 20 years<br />
My Dad will turn 69<br />
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This will be a year of milestones for sure.<br />
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2017 was a great year but it was a year of great change. There were many things thrown at me that were very unexpected most I did not handle very well.<br />
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I did not react well to most things, but I have the power to change that. I am a highly reactive person and usually strike back hard and fast when hurt or angered without thinking. I have worked hard over the years to get this reaction in check but I had some recent situations in my life that caused many hurt feelings.The second half of 2017 is when I really focused on what I needed to change.</div>
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<i>"All bad habits start slowly and gradually and before you know you have the habit, the habit has you." Zin Zigler</i></h3>
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I realize now that life is about perspective and the law of attraction.</div>
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The thoughts you have in your head become who you are. Raised by a police officer I grew up in a house where the glass was half empty. There is always something bad out there, someone is always out to get you, expect the worst and be prepared for it......</div>
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Well living this way put me in a very negative place. I mean how can I be happy and positive if I think that something bad is always around the corner and am too busy preparing to deal with situations that have not yet happened.</div>
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Sure bad shit is going to happen but I am trying hard and have making giant steps on focusing each day on the good in life, NOT the bad! The birds are chirping and the sun is shining- even when they are not!</div>
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1.Yoga<br />2.Mediation<br />3.Exercise<br />4.Green juice</h3>
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Are some things that I have been doing regularly in 2017 which I really believe have helped. When your body mind and soul are nourished and feeling good, life will follow. I have lost 25 lbs. and am a much stronger me. Physically and mentally. I am excited for 2018 and am ready to take it on with a new mindset and motivation. I have some exciting projects that I am working on, this will be an amazing year!</div>
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Bring it on 2018</h2>
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<br />Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-5044627596253813332017-09-11T10:41:00.004-07:002017-10-26T18:56:42.260-07:00Harvest Moon Camping<div style="text-align: center;">
I said many times and I will keep saying it: I love the moon and feel alive, invigorated and empowered every time there is a full moon. Maybe there is actually power in the full moon or maybe I just am excited about seeing something so beautiful, I may never know. What I do know is that I will never stop looking at the moon in all it's magical beauty.</div>
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I did not actually take this photo of the moon but this is what it looked like on Sept. 6, 2017 as it was rising and peeking through the dark gray/blue storm clouds. As it rose it looked whiter, brighter and smaller.</div>
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<u><b>Fun moon facts:</b></u></div>
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<u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The full moon will always look bigger when it’s near the horizon, but it’s not actually bigger. It’s totally an optical illusion. You can test this by just holding an penny at arm’s length. The penny will exactly cover the moon when it’s by the horizon and it’ll do the same when you hold it up to the sky when the moon is higher up but appears smaller.</u><br />
<u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Also the moon and the sun will look redder when they're by the horizon. The reason for this is because we're seeing them through the maximum thickness of atmosphere, which absorbs blue light and transmits red.</u><br />
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I decided to take my 4 younger kids camping at Maumee Bay State park this year to celebrate the full harvest moon and our journey into the fall season.</div>
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Our campsite was gorgeous, a spectacular view a yellows, whites, and deep golden wildflowers along the large pond. I had been watching the weather and it looked like we might get a few hours of rain at check in time when we were supposed to set up our tents. So we left very early and arrived by 11pm to set up our tents before the rain.</div>
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Canary stole my phone and took a bunch of photos, most of them were of grass and and the tires on the van but this one was a great action photo of me setting up our tent.</div>
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The weather was great, we spent the day exploring and going on bike rides along the shore. I did not take many pictures but I was fully in the moment feeling the wind on my face and the sun on my skin. Owl came up with a great game that we played while riding, it was called "What to you see that is beautiful." We took turns looking around us as we cycled along naming one item at a time that we thought was beautiful. Such a great game!</div>
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We went back to our campsite to cook dinner and to make moon water which we infused with small shards of black tourmaline. We also made some glow in the dark bracelets with glow in the dark beads.</div>
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Some of our tiny moon water charms hanging in a tree waiting for the moon.</div>
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Getting ready to head to the beach for our lantern walk after reading a page in the book <a href="http://sleepingbearpress.com/shop/show/11759">Full Moon Lore</a> we love this book so much, we brought our library copy but I need to add this to my amazon shopping list ASAP.</div>
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Everyone loved the cute little mice nibbling on corn!</div>
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We watched the moon rise, wrote messages in the sand, listened to the soft lake waves, and walked with our lanterns while listening to some beautiful lantern songs found on youtube.</div>
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It was such a calm peaceful walk.</div>
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Back at camp with our lanterns glowing into the night.</div>
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Gorgeous moon photo I caught on one of our many walks to the bathroom.</div>
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Around 11:30 Robin and I sat out by the fire after everyone else was asleep just chatting about books and life. It was a nice moment, I think we should go camping together one night just the 2 of us!</div>
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Just as the moon moved out of a 100% full one of my children woke up vomiting, which brought our camp out to an abrupt end. I built a fresh fire for the children to sit around and by the light of the moon and our warm fire we torn down out tents and packed up the van with the help of Papabird who rode out on that beautiful September night. </div>
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We had many activities planned for the next day but I assured the children that we would stop back next week and spend the day there.</div>
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Despite the fact our camp out ended in a vomit covered mess I would do it all over again because up until that point we had a blast. </div>
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We picked up these great books from the lodge gift shop that I cannot wait to use for our studies.</div>
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Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-26827930317327685952017-05-24T09:45:00.002-07:002017-05-24T09:45:20.992-07:00Don't clean - go play!I was sweeping the kitchen floor after dinner and feeling overwhelmed by the mess in the house with Papabird working late. That is when my 2 boys raced outside to kick a ball around.<br />
<br />
This struck me as odd because usually after dinner they get a bit of electronic time. They did <br />
not even ask, they just wanted to play outside. This was even after playing outside for 2.5 after school.<br />
<br />
They are always asking me to play with them but my response is usually "I do not have time" all I could hear in my head as they were playing was:<br />
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<u><i>(A fellow mom made this card for me, it was taped to the inside of my planner for awhile)</i></u></div>
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So I left my pile of crumbs on the floor set the broom down and went right outside.<br />
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They were so excited that I was going to play them...<br />
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Yes, Duck decided to take of his boots and play in socks, Sigh! I need to buy stain remover in bulk!!!<br />
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We had so much fun.<br />
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We laughed<br />
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We ran<br />
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We even fell down, all of us! My ankle still hurts to walk on today. As an extra bonus I got in 30 extra minutes of exercise according to my fitbit I burned 180 calories. Good things because my ankle is so sore today my workout is going to be quite light!<br />
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I look at my now 16 year old and am reminded everyday how quickly time passes. I really do love a clean house but before I know it my house will be clean and empty with grown kids who have moved out.<br />
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I know all too soon I will long for the days that my kids were little and the house was messy.Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-86370269866051192602017-02-07T06:22:00.003-08:002017-02-07T06:59:47.843-08:00No time = not a priority.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While I was eating lunch at my desk this week I pulled up a random TED talks video to watch while I ate my delicious pico de gallo. The video was was about Time management by Laura Vanderkam.</div>
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<h4>
There are so many valid points in her video the word "Too busy" does not necessarily mean "Too busy" what it really means that those said items are<b> <i>just not a priority.</i></b></h4>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">No time means not a priority.</span></div>
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Every minute I spend in life is my choice</div>
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There are 168 hours in a week how we choose to spend them is up to us, EVERYTHING we do is a choice. Should I scrub my toilet or should I read a book? = choice!</div>
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If you asked me last year why I was not reading for pleasure I would have responded with "I have no time" I was just too busy. I decided when 2017 started that I would read 1 book each month for the next 12 months. I was surprised that once I made that a priority I was able to read not only just one book but TWO!!</div>
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How did I do that? Well, I took my book with me everywhere I went and I found 5-10 minutes here and there that I could open up my book and read instead of pulling out my phone and playing with that.I also started reading in bed for 10-40 minutes each night (some nights I read more because the book was really good) I found that doing this has helped me sleep better as well. I remember reading a few articles years ago about how blue light affects our sleep <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/q-a-why-is-blue-light-before-bedtime-bad-for-sleep/">click here </a>for an article about blue lights from your phone.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Laura Vanderkam suggests writing a year end review of what you would like people to read about the successes of your year. This sounds like a great way of setting up your goals for the year.</div>
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What I found really important was that she suggests each week ( Friday afternoon) writing out a priority list and putting it in your calendar making sure you make time for what you really feel is important.</div>
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I have a lot of things in the works right now with my kids being in school, this video just dropped many items off my list. Some things are just not a priority at this time for me.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Simplify and re evaluate </h2>
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Interested in hearing more about Laura <a href="http://lauravanderkam.com/">click here </a>to be directed to her website.</div>
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Maybe one of her books will be on my reading list in the coming months.....</div>
Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-60657612421692043342016-12-31T19:45:00.001-08:002018-03-11T11:20:08.161-07:00Happy New Year 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every year I am alive is a good year. I have 61 years left on this earth I <b>will </b>live a healthy 100 years!!<br />
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I am having a hard time reflecting back on this year not because it was sad. It was good, great even. 2017 brought on lots of joy, change, success, and failures. The truth is I am very much looking forward to a fresh new year.</div>
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2016 was amazing and 2017 will be even better.</div>
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In 2017 I will turn 39</div>
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My oldest will turn 17</div>
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My youngest will turn 3</div>
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I will be celebrating 19 years with Papabird</div>
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And my Dad will turn 68</div>
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Time flies so fast, every second matters.</div>
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My Resolution this year is to make life magical: there is wonder and joy all around us we just need to be open to all the amazing wonders of the world.</div>
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<i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Being Spiritual means:</i></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Whispering to the trees,</i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Laughing with the flowers,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>falling in love with sunsets,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>consulting with the waters,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and worshipping the stars at night.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>One hand to her heart </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and one hand touching mother earth....."</i></div>
</i></span></h2>
Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-63571740916359249982016-12-26T19:06:00.002-08:002016-12-26T19:06:51.367-08:00The River of Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"When the river of change flows into your life it can be very frightening, It can bring up all our
resistance and fear of the unknown."</b></i></h2>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Change is important, stagnant water is not healthy</h3>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<h4>
Success...</h4>
<div>
I started my homeschool journey 12 years ago. I never intended to homeschool. I never even knew a single person who homeschooled but that is just where my journey led me. There were many set backs and the journey was hard but by the time I was 3 years in I new my goal would be to get my first born in college by 14.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
At age 14 my son who never knew another teacher besides me started full time at the University near our city.21,000 students wandering the campus and my 14 year old was one of them, it was a terrifying and proud moment.</div>
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My son is thriving, he is 16 now, sophomore in college with a 3.8 GPA and working part time.</div>
<h4>
<br />Drowning....</h4>
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2 years ago we won an outdated 1970's house on 15 acres during a house auction. It all happened so fast we were not ready to move nor did we think it would be sold for under 300k. 30 days from the moment we raised our auction card number that won our house and we were scrambling to make it livable enough to move in and get our other house ready to rent. We would not be able to float two mortgages for too long.Neither house was ready to move in or out.</div>
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We have been on an incredible journey for 2 years trying to juggle work on the house, work on the land, the out buildings, the farm animals, homeschooling, maintaining the office building we own and running a company. Setbacks came and went and everything takes 3x longer than we expected </div>
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I have too many things to juggle and I realize that I am only giving a small percent of my time to each one just scratching the surface ...........not getting anywhere..... treading water in rough seas.</div>
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<br />Solution...</h4>
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I found a school that is project based and most like homeschooling than any other school I have seen, I spent the day there observing while my kids participated.. I realized that day that my half ass version of homeschooling was about what this school does. No one is getting to college early that way. So I decided that if I enrolled them they would at least be getting the amount of education that I have been giving them for the last 2 years while freeing up more time for me to get things done at the house/farm. I can catch them up and get them ready for college later if that is the journey we decide on.</div>
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They are enrolled and start Jan.4. these were very hard papers to sign, again I felt like I was signing FAILURE on the documents.I failed them.</div>
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Papabird has been trying to convince me to use a weekly house cleaning service: I have been resistant. So for Christmas he bought me a year of weekly service forcing me to use it. This was a hard gift to accept because it felt like I was receiving the gift of FAILURE.</div>
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Moving on....</div>
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Sailing down my river. Maybe this school will be temporary, maybe it will be permanent. When I started homeschooling I only planned too do it for one year I did it for 12!</div>
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I am a strong believer in the journey and that people, things and situations come into your life for a reason. For now I am asking my children and myself to give it a try for the rest of the year. then in June we will re evaluate and see where to go from there.</div>
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Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-70667216364405383492016-11-14T19:52:00.000-08:002016-11-16T13:52:41.435-08:00Destination: Puerto RicoMy first trip with no kids.<br />
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Destination: Puerto Rico 2 flights 6.5 hours<br />
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View from the plane as we were landing. I was separated from Papabird on both flights the second flight we were supposed to sit together but he got bumped to first class but then gave the seat to me because I never sat in first class before. It was nice I sure would like to fly first class every time.<br />
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I was giddy the moment I saw the ocean literal giggles in my head of excitement and a goofy smile from ear to ear. Just as exciting to me as my 8 year old self waking up to the glittering Christmas tree with gifts from Santa. Magical.<br />
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There is just something about the ocean especially tropical waters that envelopes me in utter peace and washes all my worries away. I feel home!<br />
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View from the living room in the house</div>
We stayed in old San Juan the first day. A gorgeous 500 year old house it had so much history and character a bit run down though, it could have used some updates.<br />
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They had cats everywhere- I later found out it was because of the <a href="http://www.saveagato.com/">Save A Gato program </a><br />
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Old San Jaun was beautiful, I love the bright color buildings. It looked like all the books I read in college when I studied Latin American culture.<br />
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We traveled to the other side of the island to stay at resort where my husband had his important work thing<br />
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As soon as we were checked in Papabird had a meeting so I headed to the ferry that takes people over to the private island.<br />
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This was a 15 minutes walk through multiple buildings to get to the tram that takes you down the cliff to sea level. We stayed in the farthest building from the tram on the very top floor ( Papa bird knows I like the top floor anywhere) We had the best view from our balcony than any other building.I yearned to get my toes into the warm tropical sea water. I had yet been able to do so.We could see the water and hear the ocean from the house in San Jaun but we were up on a cliff and unable to get into the water.<br />
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The resort was large</div>
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The tram that takes you down the cliff to the bottom level of the resort. It looks like a fun coaster but it was pretty slow.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Bliss- toes in the water.</span></div>
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The island was beautiful </div>
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I have never seen a sun rise, sure I have been awake when the sun was coming up but I have never seen it rise up from the horizon line making it's very first appearance.<br />
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Papabird thought I was crazy but I was up at 5am (I can NEVER sleep when not in my own bed) so why not enjoy every second and watch a sunrise.<br />
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My first attempt, my timing was off and I went back to bed.<br />
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My second attempt- breathtaking, a moment to remember always.I may have damaged my retinas forever but, how do you watch the sun come up without actually looking at the sun?<br />
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And the Moon ( not the best quality but I only took my iphone not my DSLR)<br />
Seriously there is NO other view in the world more amazing to me ( besides the birth of all my 5 amazing children) than a full moon over the ocean.<br />
This night was perfect. Clear night, warm breeze, ipod in playing my favorite songs. I sat on our balcony until the moon was no longer in sight. I was lost in my thoughts and full of emotion.<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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View from our balcony, it looks directly East right to the resorts private island.<br />
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All my favorite things!!! A Rainbow over the water on the ferry while riding back to the resort after a day of longing on the beach..<br />
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Sandy toes, crashing waves,mountain view and a rumtastic tropical drink!!</div>
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The water changed color after a small rainstorm.</div>
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There were so many amazing places and adventures to do while visiting Puerto Rico but on the few days that Papa Bird was free from meetings I just wanted to relax and hang out with him.What I really needed was to just let the salty ocean bath me and wash away all my stresses.</div>
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During his busy times I was happy and content to sit, relax, and enjoy the beach.</div>
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My trashy novel that kept me company on the plane especially since the audio went down and there was no wifi or movies on my way back.</div>
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I also discovered a new Gemstone. I fell in love with it right away and bought a few pieces.</div>
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Rejuvenated!</div>
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Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-15188631925322862002016-09-01T18:41:00.000-07:002016-09-01T18:42:33.649-07:00Nature Schooling - Sept.1,2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
School goal:</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Start morning walks about 1-2 miles long making baby C walk the whole trail without being worn on my back 1-2 times each week. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Do some nature journaling</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Play at the playground after our walk.</li>
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Hopefully this will wear out the 2 year old so she takes a long nap in the afternoon so I can focus my attention on getting my 3 middle children caught up to where I would like them to be. So far the biggest problem is that I want a nap in the afternoon now!</div>
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Backpacks full of pencils, journals, water, snacks, pocket knives and whatever else they add.<br />
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Robin sketching some flowers<br />
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I saw this beetle a few weeks ago at a local farm friend's house. She did not know what it was either but it was on her porch near her milkweed. When I saw it again on milkweed at the park today I knew I had to go research it as soon as I was home. It is such a neat bug with a very bright distinct X on the back.<br />
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Up close image of the milkweed bug.</div>
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Some little girl took baby C under we wing and said that she will babysit her for me. It was so cute watching her and baby C work together to get into this swing.<br />
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This first picture says "I like birds" but "I" cut off the I when I took the picture</div>
Later that day Duck started drawing birds on his own in his mini Composition book ( my kids love those mini books) These cute little birds make me smile.<br />
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Later that day Duck started drawing birds on his own in his mini Composition book ( my kids love those mini books) These cute little birds make me smile.<br />
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WORD OF THE DAY<span style="font-size: large;">:</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;">Nemophilist</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;"> (pronounced ne-'mo-fe-list), is an obscure word that hasn't really been used for over 100 years – but it is a word that surely deserves a comeback! It </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;">means</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;">someone with a love or fondness for forests, woods, or woodland scenery, or someone who often visits them - a 'haunter' of woods.</span>Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-62634851060003798002016-08-29T13:55:00.001-07:002016-08-29T14:00:20.175-07:00Once a little boy, now almost a man.<div>
Once a little boy, now almost a man.</div>
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Right now my oldest is gone out in the middle of the Altantic sailing and I was laying in bed just now thinking (this is why I never sleep, I think,and think and think and compose blog entries in my head that never make it to my computer) This one I got out of bed for................. this one made me cry.</div>
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Where does the time go? </div>
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Just yesterday he would walk into my room at night and quietly say " can I pease seep with you mommy?"</div>
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I have been his sole teacher his whole life. </div>
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I taught him to walk</div>
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I taught him to read</div>
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I taught him to say please and thank you</div>
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I taught him to be kind and generous</div>
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I taught him long division </div>
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Always at home with me.<br />
I hope I was a good mom then. He was my first I now have 5. I learned to be a mom to him. I hope I did some things right. I hope he has many happy memories.</div>
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It was fun<br />
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it was hard</div>
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it was trying at times<br />
sometimes I cried<br />
sometimes he cried</div>
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sometimes I yelled </div>
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sometimes he yelled</div>
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always wondering if I was doing the right thing ( still wondering)</div>
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He is a teenager ...</div>
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He goes to college full time ( he is 15)</div>
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he has a job now.<br />
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I see him grow, I watch his personality change and become so very independent.<br />
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I feel cheated at times for how fast this time went. 15 years was just a blink- gone so fast.<br />
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I am sorry dear Falcon-<br />
You were my first<br />
my trial<br />
the child I learned to be a better parent with<br />
you got the roughest version of me<br />
my rough draft.<br />
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You were and always will be<br />
my blessing<br />
my miracle <br />
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Never doubt that you are loved more than words can say.<br />
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Being a mom was always the one thing I dreamed of doing until I was told I may never have children.<br />
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Then I wanted to be an Astronaut .....<br />
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Now a mom of 5<br />
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Life is full of miracles.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">"</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Life is like a carousal,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Sometimes you are up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">And Sometimes you are down,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">And sometimes you just go round and round.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Just remember to enjoy the ride"</span><br />
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Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-57094948305906803042016-07-07T11:48:00.000-07:002016-07-09T07:08:31.463-07:00The new livestock pup.<b><u>The new pup</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AhSC_Xyjdb20HI1J2hU2qNdz9MlMNLcwCxfsAGh2SkPFhFBhZRi7pbWtVHU3JAuWE100lkrh0UitEFP3nG5c27Q2AfELYxQgGysL0fRw7cJDglh6SuKaUo5fKBxa-b6j00AJ8jTQRFw/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AhSC_Xyjdb20HI1J2hU2qNdz9MlMNLcwCxfsAGh2SkPFhFBhZRi7pbWtVHU3JAuWE100lkrh0UitEFP3nG5c27Q2AfELYxQgGysL0fRw7cJDglh6SuKaUo5fKBxa-b6j00AJ8jTQRFw/s320/DSC_0116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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She is being trained up to be our guardian livestock dog. Our last dog was taking out our animals as well as keeping predators at bay. A big problem since we wanted to keep the farm animals alive and keep the woodland critters in the woods. Since she has been gone we have had more and more predator problems. Animals are approaching the barns, coops, and house.<br />
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She will be able to keep animals at bay using non lethal means, most animals even wolves will back off from this breed when confronted and search out easier prey. Which is great, that way we will not have to kill those woodland creatures that are just looking to eat on our farm, they will just learn to go elsewhere where prey is easier. #notonmyfarm!<br />
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We will be raising this beauty right so she will protect the land. In our last dog's defense she was not the right breed nor was she ever trained to guard livestock. This pup will be trained to guard the animals.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/obmBXCzTp2Q/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/obmBXCzTp2Q?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
If you click the video above it is great one about a family using these dogs on their farm<br />
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This was not originally built to be a dog enclosure BUT nothing here on the farm gets used for what we thought we would use it for. This was built to keep the free range chickens and deer out of my garden. Last year our crop was devastated.I have also only gardened 3x prior in my life so it was a of my lack of skills too.<br />
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Now there is a shelf to put potted plants on and the pup can use the bottom.<br />
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Reading about special needs of the guardian livestock dog we realized that we needed an outdoor enclosure to keep her in where she can see and socialize with our other animals with out hurting them when we are not around to correct her.<br />
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We did our research for a long time to find the right dog for our farm we were lucky to find a breeder of a Great Pyrenees/ Anatolian Shepard mix. ( the best of both worlds)<br />
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It will be a long process to raise her right but the rewards are great.<br />
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Chicken check in:<br />
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These chickens knock over the food containers everyday after the food is gone and they are forced to go eat greens and bugs. Mad that I am making them go hunt for their food and do what comes naturally and not just wait for expensive drive thru chicken feed.<br />
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<br />Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-57685419158861274012016-07-04T10:46:00.006-07:002016-07-23T13:08:01.578-07:00Why I stepped back from social media.I hope my friends take the time to read this....<br />
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I have decided that for me, social media is something I need to step back from. It is necessary though to connect with customers for our farm and to stay connected to some homeschool pages that I run.<br />
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How I used facebook:<br />
I used it as a way to get social interaction with adults. I am home all day with 5 kids and and husband who works long hours and goes out of town monthly. So, for me it was a way to maintain sanity and have adult conversations.<br />
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Something changed over the years on facebook, or maybe I changed. I started to find myself itching to check my newsfeed more and more often ( like an addict looking for a quick fix of happy) I found myself not getting any "happy" from it.<br />
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I started to find my self wishing for more and more of what I do not have.</div>
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I started to feel like this cow! </div>
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(on one side stuck and wanting to reach the otherside)</div>
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It seems that the people I am friends with on facebook post highlights of their seemingly perfect lives. Their awesome husbands, the new stuff they just bought. the great vacations they take, their very perfect lives. I would sit there with chicken poop on my boots in my dirty outdated 1970's house feeling inadequate.<br />
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I kept checking facebook,..... spending WAY more time than I ever imagined looking more and more for my "happy" only to find less of it. Ignoring the giggles and joy of the children outside catching dragonflies .A nasty crazy drug addiction.. Facebook, has been my drug addiction and it was getting bad!<br />
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So I came up with a way to limit my facebook usage. I have unfollowed all my friends. Yup, every single person so if you do not see me like or comment on something you post it is because I cannot see it. If I want an update on a friend I will need to go to their wall to see it, or just give thenm a call.There is this button on Facebook where you can stay friends but all the posts of your friends will no longer show up in your newsfeed.<br />
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So now when I check Facebook all I see are the posts from private groups I am in.<br />
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This has been my happy compromise.</div>
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Now on to living life instead of watching everyone else live theirs.</div>
Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-54183022389373917592016-06-14T05:24:00.000-07:002016-07-19T14:58:35.571-07:00A day in the life: Vomit edition!!As a mom of 5 kids you have to juggle and learn to roll with it. Things never go as planned.<br />
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Today:</div>
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7:00 AM woke up to find my boys out of bed already which really bugged me, I wanted at least 30 minutes to myself while I enjoyed my less than perfect cup of coffee (currently on week 1 of Whole 30.) Just a few minutes of being awake Papa bird started asking me a bunch of questions about stuff that I already told him, many times before!~ Irrintating!</div>
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Trying to get everyone fed and out the door with snacks packed because I was not planning on being back home until 4PM</div>
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9:00 am Out the door 15 min. later than planned because I took the time to make eggs for Duck and Owl.(They are a super food and they do not always eat them so when they want them I comply) They were especially good today ~ yummy farm fresh!<br />
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9:08 Crap, I forgot that I NEED gas. I rushed home last night after Robin's riding lesson due to an emergency (2 year old locked in her room while 15 year old was watching her!) and never got gas.</div>
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9:27 Got Falcon to his last Exam, just as I pulled away from the University Canary started throwing up....Crap! Crap! Crap! We are already late to a much needed 2nd opinion at a Denist for 3 of the kids. I cleaned her up as best as I could~ kids were gagging in the car it was so bad ( so was I!!!)</div>
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9:40 Papabird met me at the new Denist he could not fill out the paperwork because he does not know our children's DOB's...WHAT!!!!! ( I am not even going to get started on that one,) So he sat outside with Canary while I went in with 2/3 of the kids that needed to be seen. ( we missed the first appt.)</div>
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Conclusion from Denist: my kids have cavities in half their teeth...WHAT??? How? WHY? We eat so clean!!! Owl even needs a baby root canal!! Lost of stress and issues here, crappy insurance no one in our plan will work on kids. This new Denist will not do the work on kids!!! I need to think about that later.......</div>
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10:30 Off to Papa Bird's office to get some paper work we need to get notarized at the bank. </div>
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* Canary BTW is still reaking of vomit she has been wiped down with baby wipes but still soaked!! Now off to the bank with my vomit covered child. Did I mention this all had to be done today due to a past due deadline that was already being extended for me!</div>
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The bank gave the kids crappy suckers ( their teeth are already rotten , what the hell!)</div>
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11:22 Dropped off paper work on opposite side of town...Whew at least that is done!</div>
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* it is beautiful outside today 68F slight wind, sunny skies, trees are blooming. Although nothing is going right I am able to take a deep breath to enjoy this beautiful life that I have on this beautiful planet.</div>
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Here is when I had planned to go back and get Falcon, run some Errands then have a peaceful lunch out with my favorite little people ( All my baby birds) But now I need to head home because I need to clean up Canery. I only had an extra set of panties and pants in the car ( newly potty trained) no extra shirt.</div>
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11: 50 Home again, Got lunch ready cleaned up Canery and observed her for awhile to see if she was going to be sick again or if we were good to go to our planned feild trip, This time I packed plastic bags in the car with 2 complete sets of clothes for Caneray, just in case. </div>
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1:30 Picked up Falcon from School.</div>
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1:45 Arrived at field trip 15 minutes early ( just how I like to be). The kids are doing part 2 of a pioneer/homesteading workshop. for 2 hours.</div>
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2:00 I got to enjoy the next 2 hours walking around a Botanical Garden with my youngest and my oldest. </div>
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3:15 Maybe Canary is sick, she fell asleep in the stroller.She never falls asleep in the stroller, she never even likes riding the the stroller, but not today. There was no way I was going to babywear today and risk having throw up down my back, I only have extra clothes for her not me!</div>
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4:15 heading home.Goodies the kids made, they later became my Mother's day gifts!</div>
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4:40 Arrived home got some of the kids settled and headed of to the grocery store to get some last minute items for dinner. I planned to put together shish-kabobs but am running out of time. I guess I will make that tomorrow.</div>
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5:45 Got home, prepped burgers for dinner. We are having Burgers with chips and grapes.</div>
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6:15 I realized my cranky crying Canary has a fever and just wants me to hold and nurse her. I guess I will not be sauteeing peppers and onions for my burger tonight.</div>
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6:30 Dinner was not so enjoyable for me being on whole 30 without the time to prep my other side dishes because I was holding baby Canery. So it was just a plain burger for me.</div>
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Rocking....</div>
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Rocking....</div>
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Rocking....</div>
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Enjoying these moments that I am needed and cuddled and rocked Canery watching Private Practice on Netflix.</div>
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8:00 Did the nightly tick check- Found one on Owl ( life in the woods) pulled it off bagged and dated it (they can check the tick faster than you if you develop symptoms). Made sure teeth were brushed and flossed then gave kisses and hugs and off to bed went the 3 of the kids.</div>
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9;00 Put Canery to bed</div>
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Took a moment today to reflect: life does not go as planned sometimes you just need to take a deep breath acknowledge that change happens on try not to dwell on what would have made a perfect day and realize that every breathing moment on this planet is a precious one and learn how to spend it wisely</div>
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Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-78828730974658342442016-04-21T20:17:00.000-07:002016-04-21T20:18:07.910-07:00Mating Toads and injured birds<div style="text-align: center;">
Springtime on our pond is always exciting.</div>
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( I did not take this picture of a spring peeper it was pulled from a google search. I have seen them a few times but they are quick and super small)</div>
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We have had spring peepers mating all evening for a few weeks but this week brought a new sound.</div>
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It is the American toad: they are land dwellers but come to the pond in masses to mate and lay eggs. We found one section of out pond to be the mating section.</div>
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There were 50 or more toads mating in some cases we saw 3 boys on one girl. When Duck went to pick up a mating group of toads the poor mama toad squirted out her long black chain of eggs onto his hands. Robin freaked out and thought it was a snake. I felt bad for poor mama.</div>
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Toads lay eggs in long chains frogs lay eggs in clumps. So we did what every homeschooler would do, we scooped up some pond water and brought some eggs in the house to watch them hatch.There are tons all over the pond.</div>
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Then off to the library of course to get some corresponding materials.</div>
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Later that day the boys found a poor Robin ( Not my 9 year old whose blogosphere name</div>
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is Robin, A real American Robin) all wrapped up in some blue twine. Of course my kids wanted me to save it. After cutting all the twine from the birds wings, neck, and feet it looks as if the wing is broken.</div>
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Rehabilitating this bird, I believe was beyond my knowledge so I took him to a nature reserve that helps hurt animals and releases them back into the wild when possible.I really did not feel like going. It was real inconvenience to my day........</div>
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But, I thought for a moment what if someday I am really sick or hurt and the person who could help me did not want to be INCONVENIENCED that day. So, I jumped right in the car with 4 of my little ones and took the bird right away.</div>
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I was especially not thrilled about the drive in the rain. I hate the driving on the highway in the rain. The kids and I were excited to receive a case number to call back and check on our bird friend named Jack.</div>
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<a href="http://www.spirit-animals.com/robin/">If Robin has flown into your life;</a></h3>
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Robin signifies stimulation of new growth and <a href="http://spirit-animals.com/tag/renewal" style="color: #213e00; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Totems Associated with 'Renewal'">renewal</a> in many areas of <a href="http://spirit-animals.com/tag/life" style="color: #213e00; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Totems Associated with 'Life'">life</a>. He teaches that any changes can be made with joy, laughter and a song in your heart. This bird shows you how to ride the winds of <a href="http://spirit-animals.com/tag/passion" style="color: #213e00; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Totems Associated with 'Passion'">passion</a> within your heart and become independent and self reliant through this <a href="http://spirit-animals.com/tag/change" style="color: #213e00; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Totems Associated with 'Change'">change</a>. The energy of this bird will teach you how to move forward with grace, tenacity, <a href="http://spirit-animals.com/tag/perseverance" style="color: #213e00; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Totems Associated with 'Perseverance'">perseverance</a> and assertion. Are you letting go of personal dramas? Ones that no longer serve your higher purpose? Are you exercising <a href="http://spirit-animals.com/tag/compassion" style="color: #213e00; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Totems Associated with 'Compassion'">compassion</a> and <a href="http://spirit-animals.com/tag/patience" style="color: #213e00; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Totems Associated with 'Patience'">patience</a> in mental, spiritual and emotional areas? This creature will teach how to incorporate new beginnings with <a href="http://spirit-animals.com/tag/faith" style="color: #213e00; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Totems Associated with 'Faith'">faith</a> and <a href="http://spirit-animals.com/tag/trust" style="color: #213e00; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Totems Associated with 'Trust'">trust</a> in the process. It is time to believe in yourself and use the <a href="http://spirit-animals.com/tag/inspiration" style="color: #213e00; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Totems Associated with 'Inspiration'">inspiration</a> that is given. Listen carefully. It is time sing your own song for a new period in your <a href="http://spirit-animals.com/tag/life" style="color: #213e00; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Totems Associated with 'Life'">life</a></div>
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Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-41908640603186376072016-04-18T20:41:00.000-07:002016-04-19T10:00:06.186-07:00Spring into summer studiesI wanted this school year to be more relaxed as it nears an end I realized it was - maybe a bit too much. We did school but on a slower scale. A good thing? A bad thing? No need to label it we moved forward. It was hard to get into the swing of things after Falcon started College full time this year at the age of 14. His first Semester he received 3 A's and 1 B. Pretty proud mom! 3.8 GPA!! As his final Semester is finishing up it looks as if he will get 3 A's and a B again.<br />
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Over the school year I finally got mostly unpacked in the house but not all cleaned out. There are still areas of this house that are unfinished and still dusty, dirty and full of items from Steve and Julie (people who built this house in 1968 that I have never met.)<br />
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This was a year of learning for me- I feel good on how it went and look forward to stepping up our education a little more as we move into spring an onward to summer. As most homeschool moms are feeling burnt out by this time of year and ready for a break I am feeling refreshed and ready to start my new school year and farm adventures this summer.<br />
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I usually school year round just lighter in the summer.<br />
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My spring/summer plans are to rise early to beat the heat! I am not fond of hot summer days. So I plan to get up by 6;30 get breakfast going and start farm work until lunch time.<br />
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After lunch will be when school starts and Canary naps. planning to school from 12-3 daily.<br />
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4pm will be reading time<br />
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6 dinner.<br />
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8 inches of snow just a few weeks after spring! That was a first! I was excited though I LOVE snow and was thrilled to see it one more time. What was especially strange was hearing the spring birds chirping while trudging through the snow!!<br />
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Unfrozen pond and loads of snow~ strange!</div>
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I thought the snow was a thing of winter not spring so the hammock came out and so did the bikes!!!<br />
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The new Pekings from TSC, I hate taking care of messy ducklings but they are sooooooo adorable they make it worthwhile.Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-37786957717380827802015-12-11T21:15:00.000-08:002015-12-11T21:15:00.726-08:00The Cricket in Times SquareRead Aloud for November:<br />
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We all really liked this one, a very fun easy read.</div>
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We took a field trip to an Asian food and gift store. We were not impressed, It smelled horribly like dead fish. It was literally so strong It made me want to leave. Here are a few quick pictures I took before we left.</div>
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Canary loved the the live fish, I do not think she minded the dead fish smell.<br />
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Um, interesting find! No other comment on this tea!<br />
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This was not nearly as neat as we expected or as interesting as the shop in the story.</div>
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Robin remembered from watching Mulan how Crickets are good luck in China but we never knew the folktale behind it until it was explained in this book.</div>
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Super cute candy cane mice we made.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FVTXlRxVdEY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FVTXlRxVdEY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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We listened to some of the music the cricket imitated at the newsstand.<i><b> A Little Night Music by Mozart</b></i> was a favorite.</div>
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We watched videos of a New York Subway train om Youtube.</div>
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Papa Bird sent us an image of an airport news stand while traveling to Australia. We discussed that there were news stands still around and that people will read them when commuting to and from places.</div>
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Commuting: A new vocab word for all</div>
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The kids wrote down foods they discussed in the book and we made a menu to have a special lunch.</div>
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This is Robin's list</div>
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The little boys made one too, but I could not find theirs for a picture.</div>
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If there is a movie based on the book we for school we watch it when we were done and compare and contrast.</div>
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This time we watched the new Annie movie instead. It is set in modern day New York so I thought it may be a good movie to reinforce the setting of this novel.</div>
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During the movie Duck says to me,"I sure would love to be rich and famous!"</div>
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I respond;" Did Chester like it in the story we just read?"</div>
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I do not want to give his answer away if you have not read the book but it was nice to bring to life a lesson from the book we just read in the story.</div>
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Some of the foods we ate during the movie that were mentioned in the book. We had BLT's too but ate those too fast for a picture.</div>
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Some other books we read.</div>
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The Art project we did this month tying in a character from our story. I wanted the kids to make life- like mice but they had other ideas! </div>
Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-55870163019930320712015-11-24T19:56:00.000-08:002015-11-26T06:17:03.835-08:00And just like that it was winter.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, it is not winter officially yet but in my world I really consider the first snow that sticks, Winter!</div>
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I walked outside at 9am to see this just outside my door, it is going to be a magical day!<br />
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First time the ducks saw snow and they cared less they just waddled right to the pond. They were more concerned with the water being partially frozen.<br />
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The chickens on the other hand did not like the snow. They ran right out of the coop and huddled under the awning at the back of the barn.<br />
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Sun shining through green leaves not quite ready to admit it is winter!<br />
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Blissfully happy this afternoon taking care of the animals. It was so beautiful I walked out to the back of the forest with just the dog and no phone leaving the little birds inside the house wondering what took me so long outside.<br />
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Bright blue sky, warm sun, pure white snow. So enchanting. I must have stared up at the contrast of the bright blue sky and the glistening snow for 10 minutes.<br />
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Snow dog having fun, she was tracking coyote prints.<br />
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* These picture were taken with my son's $100 camera not my nice one and not edited in anyway that is how beautiful a day it was.Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-10400237042425646742015-11-15T19:17:00.001-08:002015-11-15T19:21:06.277-08:00So how do you poo? Do you sit or do you Squat?You all have heard of the squatty potty right? Well, if you are a crunchy mama (these hippie folks who like to use all natural treatments of everything) you already know. But if you are a mainstream mama (most of society just following the heard and doing everything deemed 'normal') you may not know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48Y2zgnpQlDCGAY4Ob8Owu5IwIu39RklV8CrlQUcLpoUuFu5XGjNK1BsPPFMRMg0bUaAaVbWIQx1OoEHKzwqNKbXqCm-NPpcwmE5j492zL6e-hhlgmsyPND-QMP0Lj_3e66oUs2qkCtU/s1600/SquattyPotty3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48Y2zgnpQlDCGAY4Ob8Owu5IwIu39RklV8CrlQUcLpoUuFu5XGjNK1BsPPFMRMg0bUaAaVbWIQx1OoEHKzwqNKbXqCm-NPpcwmE5j492zL6e-hhlgmsyPND-QMP0Lj_3e66oUs2qkCtU/s320/SquattyPotty3-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I am here to enlighten you today below is a WONDERFUL and hilarious clip. MUST WATCH<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YbYWhdLO43Q/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YbYWhdLO43Q?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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A family member has been using a stool to get their legs up in a squatting position for as long as I can remember. I never knew why until 2 years ago when I was first introduced to the squatty potty on one of my crunchy/hippie forums. I have been using a stool since then, but now that I am having kids with constipation issues I think it is time to invest in a squatty stool.<br />
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I have these on my amazon wish list, hopefully Santa sees this and can make my Christmas wish come true.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4Zf7WMZornM4ip_HRXL8aaHX7ZfSEBpqE6iQt7TXQC8753Lu4JGRWMh-GqMwf-qvAKgondaDBM3dvJO3rsZ6tfLkeM5EPtVX7yjBAi0tNJl79n3RKCkaGjHGkT-lyrzFFQdgf2EZfSY/s1600/Cute-Santa-Claus-Christmas-background-vector-05+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4Zf7WMZornM4ip_HRXL8aaHX7ZfSEBpqE6iQt7TXQC8753Lu4JGRWMh-GqMwf-qvAKgondaDBM3dvJO3rsZ6tfLkeM5EPtVX7yjBAi0tNJl79n3RKCkaGjHGkT-lyrzFFQdgf2EZfSY/s320/Cute-Santa-Claus-Christmas-background-vector-05+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Check out this amazon review:<br />
<i>"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I never thought I would ever review my morning constitutional but this product needs to be taken serious. I had seen an article many months ago about how we doody "wrong". I thought it was a bunch of bunk until one day I was walking and suddendly was in a very uncomfortable situation where I was nowhere near facilities, modern or otherwise, so that I might take care of the increasing pressure building up in my butt and at 62 years old I could not depend on the sphincter to not give out before I could get home, so I did what anyone would do and ducked into some dense bushes before I exploded and had a heavy load to cart home in my britches. In a matter of seconds the deed was done and I could not believe the size of the prize*....which got me to thinking more about the squatty potty. Before I purchased this product I would return to the Loo 3 or 4 times a day but now it gets done all in one squatting. I am a short person (4'9") and the 7" is a perfect size for me. In fact, a taller person could use a shorter one if they were made available. I gave the 9" to my son for his children to use and they have not had the problems with elimination that they were having before they had this great little stool. I recommend this for anyone who does not feel total relief after their daily doo.</span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>*I did return to the scene of the incident and did the responsible thing by picking up what I left behind"</i></span><br />
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Now since we are on the topic of pooping let's talk pee as well. When I was pregnant I came across <a href="http://www.mommypotamus.com/why-you-need-to-pee-in-the-shower/">THIS</a> link my a favorite blogger of mine <a href="http://www.mommypotamus.com/">"mommypotapmus"</a> that says woman have week pelvic floor muscles because in the U.S we do not squat when we pee.<br />
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So there I was wiggling and dancing as I painted the chicken coop all by my lonesome. I was drinking a lot of water because I was hot and working hard!!My mother in law was inside the house watching my sick cranky kids. I knew if I walked back to the house it could take 20 minutes just to pee because I will be bombarded with questions and have the sick clingy toddler who will not want me to go away. So I remember how good squatting to pee really is (Thanks mommypotamus!) and I remembered that my good old friend Buffy told me not too long ago peeing around your coop can help keep predators at bay.( Double win!!!)<br />
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Side note: we have 6 missing birds right now and lots of feathers left behind ( my favorite green egg layer is gone too!)<br />
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So I pulled my pants down, ( no one can see anywhere on our land. Maybe I drank a lot of water or maybe it really was the squatting action that relaxed my muscles fully but I peed FOREVER!!! Two minutes later (give or take I wasn't counting) and I was back to painting again. No lost time and .....maybe .....just maybe helped deter some predators away from my lovely hens.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> (The coop all primed on 4 sides by me!!!!)</span></div>
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Another win for the squatty potty.<br />
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More on pelvic health? <a href="https://medium.com/@zzuuu/the-forgotten-art-of-untucking-the-tail-57d8ef619e4e">Here is another great read. </a><br />
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<br />Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-61832385128637562102015-11-02T16:54:00.002-08:002015-11-02T16:54:59.100-08:00Happy, content, warm... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">"I am rich today with autumns gold" -Gladys Harp</span></div>
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It is that wonderful time of the year here in the Northern part on the US that the trees turn beautiful shades if crimson, magenta, golden yellows, flaming orange and the leaves drift slowly to the ground. That sound of the wind tossing leaves from the trees, leaving theme swirling on the porch where they creep lazily into the house.<br />
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(Little Baby C's toes)</div>
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Crunch, crunch go the leaves under my feet! Ahhhhhhhhh the wonderful smell of dead decaying leaves, it smells like fall! It really is a wonderful smell, it brings: warm sweaters, snuggles, bonfires, s'mores, football games and warm pumpkin pie.<br />
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Pumpkin, it really is my favorite. Anyway you spin it = Delicious: pies, muffins, cookies, smoothies and if course who could forget the overpriced yuppie Starbucks pumpkin. Spice Latte. Try it breve with whipped cream, yum!<br />
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It is a cold fall night in the nest tonight. I still refuse to turn on the heat. I try and wait longer and longer each year trying to cut costs. I am freezing tonight after eating a slightly warm bowl of chicken soup left on the stove from dinner 3 hours ago and drinking a cup of mostly hot peppermint tea that I forgot I made myself. I just could not warm up. So I jumped in the shower to let steamy ribbons of mineral rich well water warm my body. I finally emerged and dressed in fuzzy pink pants, an old grey sweatshirt, my blue knit hat and wool socks I am finally laying in bed...... toasty warm. Nestled in my cozy cream flannel sheets, a pink and white shabby chic quilt and a brown/gold/red comforter on top.<br />
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Some of my little birds are sick tonight with fever and headaches. Fall brings viruses too!<br />
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I lay here ...... happy, content, warm!<br />
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<br />Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-2116579940614958662015-07-30T18:49:00.000-07:002015-07-30T18:49:06.620-07:00Getting into the school swingI homeschool my children, which means for me constant change. Every year sometimes even multiple times a year I change up what I am doing and how I am doing it. If a certain textbook is not working I find something new. If a certain way of teaching is not working I find a new way. Each one of my children is so very different from the rest. That means constant change. what works for one may not work for all of them.<br />
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That means lots of work on my part. I do not just buy a box curriculum and follow along daily nor do I use an online school. I write my own lessons, come up with my own ideas and that means lots of work and change. I spend countless hours searching pinterest, my favorite art blogs and the library for just the right things I am looking for.<br />
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Why? because my kids are worth it. When they remember things is great detail from years before I know I am doing it right.<br />
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This year is the first year we have taken a pretty long break.When I added baby #5 to the mix and bought a farm at an auction spur of the moment it really set me back. Baby Canary is now almost 18 months and we have lived at the new farm for about 7 months. We usually school year round but I found that impossible to do when the house was in boxes and we were still working on getting the old house ready as well as getting the new house livable. So much went wrong at first: We ripped all the heating out and found our new heating was not working, we had to dig a new well, so many things went wrong the list is soooo long.<br />
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I am still unpacking we are STILL remodeling, painting and shufflings things from room to room, we still do not even use every room in the house yet because they are not ready - baby steps we are moving forward.<br />
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My homeschooling stuff is finally ALL unpacked and sorted through well mostly so now I am excited about teaching the kids because I will be able to actually find what I need.<br />
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Back to schooling- back to lesson plans -learning is fun!</h3>
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When are we starting school? Not sure, I hope to be ready next week *if all goes as planned*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-2240232060539269472015-07-19T19:53:00.001-07:002015-07-19T19:53:25.433-07:00Hot July!<h2>
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<u><i><b>"Hot July brings stormy showers</b></i></u></div>
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<u><i><b>Lemonade and Lazy hours" ( not so much the lazy hours here!)</b></i></u></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Well it brings lots of rain, we have had a record amount of rain this year. I feel like I am in the rainforest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I do love the rain and big windy storms!</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Now that the ticks are dying down the mosquitoes are CRAZY, TERRIBLE this year, we almost cannot go outside it is so bad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Yummy Blueberry mint Lemonade (fresh squeezed of course)</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Homemade Popsicles- the only way to eat them and know they have wholesome ingredients. Mostly they have been yogurt and fruit, next week I am making carrot, beet, strawberry and apple-kale popsicles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">First real swim in the pond this year, it has been too cold or rainy</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Canary loved watching everyone else play but did not want to go in today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Canary chasing chickens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Trying to feed the dog pine chips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Now trying the chickens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">The babies in their not quite finished home. They will be trapped in there for 48 hours so they get acclimated to their new home and want to go there at night to roost instead of the crammed brooder in the barn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Hmmmmm, both eggs from my chickens they all free range the same 15 acres and have access to the same feed. One seems to be a much better forger than the other.</span></div>
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When boredom strikes build your own slide from debris on the farm.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Papabird off to TSC</span></div>
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Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5036482341242910122.post-51110127617371867042015-06-25T16:03:00.001-07:002015-06-25T19:13:14.481-07:00Here and now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My new motto- good reminder - everyday</div>
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Words from Robin "Can we tie dye everything and live like hippies?" "Uh ya, Robin we kind of do!"</div>
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Rainbow Tie dye for our Girl Scout Zoo overnight.</div>
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Nature find by Owl.</div>
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My favorite place to be.</div>
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The start of my garden, unfortunately it is all DEAD now. I think I planted in a bad spot I need to get my soil tested.</div>
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Read aloud outside in the hammock</div>
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Project on canvas the littles did last year, finally up on the wall. Each child did their own quarter of the sun with provided paints and scrap book paper. They had some rules but each expressed their own individuality in each section. This will be the focal point on the kitchen wall that I am doing a college gallery on.</div>
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Example of a a bright fun gallery wall.</div>
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Mama Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06306179184674244791noreply@blogger.com0